The personal blog of Reyn Bowman, a Durham NC resident, 40-year veteran of community-destination marketing and still an explorer in community sense-of-place. Opinions expressed here are those of the author.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Instead of an Annual Meeting

For as long as civic luncheons have been held, they have primarily served as fundraisers and a means for organizations to bring attention to themselves.But DCVB decided to forego the typical annual luncheon and instead elected to self-fund and produce Durham’s Annual Tribute Luncheoneach year. Our partner is The Special Event Company so we also try to illustrate how alternative venues can work for meetings and events.

Rather than bringing attention to DCVB, we seek to bring attention through the Annual Tribute Luncheon to individuals and groups who help shape and preserve Durham’s brand values. After all, in telling the Durham story, it is those distinctive brand values that are most important to what DCVB does as Durham’s official marketing agency.The event this year is April 29th right on the Mildred and Dillard Teer Stage of the new Durham Performing Arts Center. And as always, it is a sellout. It is also one of the most diverse events of its type every year.

Last year, the Annual Tribute Luncheon was on the floor of Cameron Indoor Stadium, where the Duke Blue Devils play, a building and team that also showcases the Durham brand.

And DCVB is sure to connect in other ways with internal stakeholders about Bureau activities and results. Surveys of both residents and of civic, business, university and neighborhood leaders show the Bureau has a very high awareness and understanding level and approval rating.